Grandpa Ben threat The memory of the poisoned gift still haunted them, a grim reminder of how close Victor had come to death. As he lay in bed recovering, Emma had stepped up, taking charge with a fierce determination. The men who once doubted her now followed her without question, seeing her as a true leader. But Victor could see the toll it was taking on her. She barely slept and hardly ate, and worry clouded her eyes. The Phantom’s threat still loomed large, and the danger was far from over.Despite her newfound authority, Victor could see the toll it was taking on her. Emma barely slept and hardly ate, and the worry etched on her face was impossible to ignore. The Phantom’s threat still loomed large, casting a long shadow over their lives, and the danger was far from over.Victor watched as Emma paced the room, her jaw set in a line of concentration. She glanced over at him, her face a mask of exhaustion and resolve.“You should sit down,” Victor said softly, his voice hoarse but
The Wrath of Grandpa BenGrandpa Ben's clock chimed as the minutes passed. He sat in his chair, fingers drumming on the armrest. The room was tense with anticipation, waiting for Emma’s return. But as the hours went by and she didn’t come, a storm of anger began to build inside him.“Where is she?” Grandpa Ben growled, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. “She should’ve been back by now.”Maria, standing by the window with her arms crossed, sneered. “I told you, Grandpa, she’s not coming. That girl thinks she can defy us like she’s untouchable. She’s too blinded by Victor to see the hell she’s about to bring down on herself.”Grandpa Ben’s eyes narrowed, a dangerous gleam in them as he considered Maria’s words. “She’ll learn soon enough. No one crosses me and gets away with it.” I have not forgotten how Emma and Victor humiliated me and the entire household.The door creaked open, and the leader of Grandpa Ben’s men entered, his face ashen. The moment he stepped inside, the air tu
The Showdown at the HospitalGrandpa Ben wasn’t a man to be ignored. When Emma refused to come back on her own, he decided to take matters into his own hands. His decision was swift and absolute, he would go to the hospital himself, along with a few of his most trusted guards. He wasn't leaving without Emma this time.The hospital corridors were unnervingly silent as Grandpa Ben and his guards moved through them, Grandpa Ben marched through them, his presence commanding and intimidating. His guards flanked him, their expressions stern and ready for whatever might come. They reached the door to Victor’s room, and without hesitation, Grandpa Ben pushed it open.Emma was standing by Victor’s bedside, her hand resting on his. She looked up as the door burst open, her heart racing as she saw Grandpa Ben standing there, his eyes full of cold determination.“Emma,” Grandpa Ben said, his voice steady but laced with authority. “You’re coming with me. Now.”Emma stood her ground, her eyes lock
The Betrayal UncoveredThe drive back from the hospital was tense, the silence between them heavy. Victor's grip on the steering wheel was tight, his eyes locked on the road, while Emma sat beside him, her mind racing with everything that had just happened. When they finally arrived at the house, the tension was nearly unbearable.Victor parked the car and let out a slow breath. He turned to Emma, his expression hard to read. “We need to act quickly,” he said, his voice low and controlled. “There’s something happening at the rival's base. If the Phantom is involved, we can’t let this opportunity slip.”Emma nodded, still shaken by the events at the hospital but trying to focus. “What’s the plan?”Victor’s gaze met hers, dark and serious. “We go in. Just the two of us. We’ll be quicker and quieter that way.”Before she could respond, the door to the room swung open, and one of Victor’s men rushed in, his face flushed with urgency. “Sir, we’ve caught the traitor. He’s downstairs. What sh
The Party’s TrapThe day of the party came, and you could feel the tension. Emma got out of the car, her heart pounding, as Victor’s grip on her hand tightened, giving her comfort. The mansion in front of them, grand and imposing, was more than just a building tonight, it was the battlefield where they would face whatever challenges lay ahead.“Remember, Emma,” Victor whispered, his voice steady and calm. “Every smile, every word, everything you do tonight is part of the game. They’ll be watching us closely.”Emma nodded, swallowing her nerves. As they walked inside, the crowd of elites parted, their whispers trailing behind them like shadows.“Isn’t that her?” a woman muttered.“What’s she doing here?” another hissed.Victor ignored the murmurs, his posture calm and commanding. “Let them talk,” he said softly to Emma. “It means we’ve got their attention.”They walked into the grand ballroom, and instantly, every eye was on them. The chandeliers above sparkled brightly, but the tensio
Throughout the evening, Grandfather didn’t stop his subtle attacks, using every opportunity to chip away at Victor and Emma’s credibility. His voice was always low, just loud enough for those around him to hear his cruel whispers, but never loud enough to cause a scene. His words were like venom, dripping with malice.“Victor used to be such a promising man,” Grandpa Ben said, his voice barely above a whisper, but loud enough for a nearby group to hear. “But ever since *she* came into the picture…” He let his words trail off, the implication clear.Emma caught the murmurs, her heart sinking with each passing comment. She forced a smile, pretending not to hear, but her grip on Victor’s arm tightened. Victor noticed immediately, leaning down to murmur in her ear, “Ignore them, Emma. You’re with me.”But it was easier said than done. The elite guests circled them like vultures, their eyes full of judgment.“Do you think she belongs here?” someone whispered from behind them.“She’s out of
Grandpa Ben’s voice cut through the tension, dripping with fake charm. “Well, Victor, I see you’ve brought…company,” he said, his eyes sliding over Emma with barely disguised contempt. “A shame she’s not quite up to the standards of this event, but I suppose anyone can sneak in these days.”Emma’s blood boiled, her nails digging into her palms as the insult hit home. She opened her mouth to speak, but Victor stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous.“Emma belongs here,” Victor said sharply, his gaze never leaving Grandpa Ben’s. “And I don’t need your approval, or anyone else’s, to stand beside her.”Grandpa Ben’s smile faltered for a split second, but he quickly recovered, his tone dripping with condescension. “Victor, you’ve always had a soft spot for…projects. But you must realize that some people just aren’t cut out for this life. It’s better to keep them where they belong.”Emma’s heart pounded in her chest, but Victor didn’t flinch.“You don’t get to decide who belongs and wh
The room fell quiet as Grandpa Ben moved forward, his face like stone. He had his security guys with him, and his eyes were glued to Victor, filled with a cold anger that made everyone uneasy.Suddenly, a booming voice cut through the soft music and murmurs, silencing the room.“Victor!” Grandpa Ben’s voice was harsh, laced with authority and contempt. Flanked by his security, he stepped forward, his gaze narrowing in on Emma like a predator about to strike. “I’ve tolerated this long enough. It’s time we settle this.”Victor’s jaw tightened, but his smirk remained as he turned to face the old man. The entire room shifted their attention to the brewing confrontation, the tension thick in the air. Emma could feel every stare on her, their judgment clear. She squeezed Victor’s hand tighter, her heart pounding.“Grandpa,” Victor greeted coldly, his voice calm yet dangerous, “what seems to be the issue?”Grandpa Ben sneered, his eyes flickering with disdain as they landed on Emma. “This,”